Histoic Women of Bharat
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Vedic Scriptures<br />
The Vedas are the primary sacred texts <strong>of</strong> the Hindus which command<br />
the highest authority. Since they were not authored by man but revealed<br />
by God to the enlightened rishis they are self-authoritative, needing no<br />
external endorsement or legitimacy. Next in importance are the Smruti<br />
shastras. Smruti mean "remembrance". The Smruti shastras were<br />
written by great seers based on the teachings they remembered from<br />
their spiritual masters. The authority <strong>of</strong> these shastras is derived from<br />
the spiritual standing <strong>of</strong> their authors and their congruence with the<br />
Vedas. Yet, since the Smruti shastras are man-made, they are considered<br />
secondary to the Shruti shastras. The Smruti shastras include a large<br />
number <strong>of</strong> heterogeneous works like the Dharma Shastras, the Itihasas<br />
or epics (Rarnayana and Mahal:Jharata), and the Puranas. The source <strong>of</strong><br />
the Dharma Shastras lies in one <strong>of</strong> the six Vedangas (limbs <strong>of</strong> Veda).<br />
Among the Vedangas, the Kalpasutras deal with the correct performance<br />
<strong>of</strong> rituals.<br />
Email: indianscriptures@gmail.com
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